African immigrants in Denver excited about Barack Obama

Leaning on their cars on a Denver side street, four limousine drivers, all immigrants from Africa, discussed why they were excited about a possible Barack Obama presidency.

"Because we have been down for so long and it's time to rise up," said Sadiq Kofi Annor, 51, who moved from Ghana to Colorado 11 years ago. "Because we don't have any work right now. The last three months have been the worst ever. It's very hard in America. Hopefully with a Democrat taking the office, I believe things will change."

"We really don't care if he's black or white," added Husen Robleh, 35, who moved to Colorado from Ethiopia 11 years ago.

"If McCain takes over, it will just be the same thing. It's going to go downhill. The Republicans take care of their friends. That's really what bothers us.

"But with Obama, I think he's going to be a real difference."

Yoseph Demissie, who came to Denver from Ethiopia 13 years ago, said he was amazed how many of his customers told him when they travelled abroad they pretended to be from Canada.

"They are ashamed to say they're American," he said.

"And there has to be a reason for that," said Mr Robleh. "It's because of what Bush did over the last eight years."

The four, who all have families living here, said moving to the US had brought great opportunities.

"You're here to get a beautiful life. But at this time it's so hard," said Mr Demissie. He said tens of thousands of immigrants were voting for the first time in this election.

The economic situation has brought many out, added Samuel Woldemichael, 40, who came from Ethiopia 16 years ago. "Many have lived here years without voting. Now they're all voting, and voting early."

Mr Robleh also stressed the need for better diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. "We need somebody to sit down and talk and in today's world that's the only way to solve problems, not by sending bombs that creates more hate.

"The whole world is watching," he added. Family members back in African and elsewhere were emailing them about the presidential race. "This is the first time in history in the US that the whole world had to pay attention like this. There has to be a reason why."

Mr Demissie said when he first came to Colorado he encountered some racism and in some rural parts of the state people would still sometimes ask, â€˜what are you doing here?' But today the four said generally they encountered little discrimination.

"To be honest, I have to give credit to the US," Mr Robleh said. "It's come a long way given what was going on with racism 40, 50 years ago. Even if Obama does not win, at least next time a black man is running for president there won't be all this talk (about race)."

"Even if he does not win, we feel he has won," added Mr Annor.

"I thought I would only ever see a black president in the movies," said Mr Robleh. "If he wins tonight, it will show how much has changed."